Nigeria: Micro Reforms for African Agribusiness To Benefit From U.S.$700,000 AGRA Grant

Smallholder farmers in Nigeria are already benefiting from $700,000 grants from the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in a move seen as helping them to leverage on getting the right inputs like quality, certified and improved seeds as well as fertilizers.   Last week, the Micro Reforms for African Agribusiness in Nigeria (MIRA) met with stakeholders under the aegis of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group in Lagos on how to implement the partnership agreement with AGRA.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 9th April 2016

Nigeria: Govt to Start Work On 31 Major Roads Soon

Lagos — Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the Federal Government will soon commence work on 31 major roads across the country in its drive to develop infrastructure and grow the economy.   The vice president stressed the need for collaboration among states of the federation in order to stimulate the economy, just as he attributed the country's economic woes to over-dependence on oil.   Osinbajo who spoke at the Economic Summit organised by Vintage Press, publishers.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 9th April 2016

Tanzania: Centre for Industrialisation Awaits President's Approval

Dar es Salaam — The formation of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Centre is awaiting President John Magufuli's approval.   The facility is expected to increase the pace of attracting investments for rapid industrialisation.   A draft on the formation of the institution has been submitted to the President's Office (Public Service Management).   The assistant director of investments in the Prime Minister's Office, Mr James Mboya, last week told a workshop on.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 9th April 2016

Cote d'Ivoire: Dangote Constructs U.S.$200 Million Cement Plant

Lagos — Dangote Cement Plc is deepening its pan African expansion drive with the commencement of construction of a new 3-million metric ton per annum capacity cement grinding plant in Cote d'Ivoire.   The new project is coming just as the company announced the ground breaking of a new 6-million metric ton per annum Greenfield cement plant in Okpella, Edo state and commencement of work on a 6-million mtpa capacity plant in Itori, Ogun State.   Dangote Group.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 9th April 2016

General Motors East Africa to Double Truck Output Based On Construction Boom

 NAIROBI (Reuters) - A construction boom in Kenya has fuelled a rise in commercial truck sales for market leader General Motors, which is investing $7.9 million in 2016 to upgrade its assembly plant in Nairobi and more than double output, a senior executive said on Thursday.   GM East Africa Managing Director Rita Kavashe said 20,000 new vehicles were sold in Kenya last year, the highest on record, and 98 percent of those were trucks and buses.   This reflected both.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 8th April 2016

SADC: First Phase of Regional Power Interconnector Project Nears Completion

The first phase of the 2 300 km regional power interconnector project that will link Zambia – Tanzania and Kenya (ZTK) power grids is expected to be completed by December this year in a development that is set to boost SADC power and the African Union’s thrust for continental integration.   The Chinese development package is into 10 areas that include infrastructure projects, aid for drought-stricken countries and thousands of scholarships for African.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 8th April 2016

Tanzania Village Inaugurates 38bn/ - Solar Mini-Grid Project

THE residents of Bwisya village in Ukara Island, Mwanza region have a reason to smile following the inauguration of a 38.4bn/- solar-powered mini grid project.   The project is implemented by Jumeme Rural Power Supply Ltd together with its international partners -- the European Union and Energy and Environment Partnership.   According to a media statement issued yesterday in Dar es Salaam, project inauguration was attended by Ukerewe District Commissioner, Mr Joseph.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 8th April 2016

Nigeria: Solar Power to Help Double Shiroro Hydro Power Station Capacity

The Shiroro Hydro Power Station (SHPS) will soon double its operating capacity of 300mw through solar plant.   Alhaji Dauda Abdulaziz, SHPS Chief Operating Officer, disclosed this on Thursday in Shiroro to a team from Infrastructure Concessions Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE).   Abdulaziz said that the new solar plant would be digitally controlled instead of the conventional manual.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 8th April 2016

Nigeria: State Govt. to Commit N29.6 Billion On Power Supply, Agriculture

Kaduna — Kaduna State Government said it would commit over N29.6 billion on power supply, agriculture and rail transport.   Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa'i who stated this on Wednesday in Kaduna at the opening of the Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit, said that part of the projects captured under the state's 2016 budget was the construction of a rail line for Kaduna metropolis which would gulp N10 billion.   The governor said the rail line designed under the first phase.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 8th April 2016

Uganda: Report Says Cocoa Exports Hit Shs244 Billion

There has been a silent but brawling debate over Uganda's cocoa export volumes, and the value in particular. Now, a report by Swisscontact, a non-governmental organisation, indicates that the country earns more than was expected.   The 2015 annual report, Improving Markets for Honey and Cocoa Value Chains in Uganda, reveals: "Since July 2015, cocoa is ranked the fourth foreign exchange earner after coffee, fish and tea and about 26,412 metric tonnes of cocoa were exported.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 7th April 2016

Kenya: Cabinet Approves New Mining Policy To Attract Fresh Investment in Sector

A new all-inclusive Bill is set to be published to guide mineral wealth exploitation and address governance and environmental issues after the Cabinet on Friday approved a mining policy to attract fresh investment to the sector.   Mining Cabinet secretary Dan Kazungu said the new Bill will address key gaps in the Mining Act of 1940, and align the sector to the latest global trends such as value-addition and use of technology to spur investor interest.   "The Mining.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 7th April 2016

Nigeria: 'Infrastructure Investment Key to Nation's Survival'

Securing and improving on Nigeria's infrastructure stock through prioritized investments, has again been listed as the pathway to the nation's long-term success and economic revival.   Besides, a new report by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), said the nation's stock of wealth and assessed potentials has failed to translate into the well-being of the populace.   The report, which analysis was based on Sustainable Economic Development Assessment- BCG's globally.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 7th April 2016